Algert Global LLC Acquires 17,517 Shares of Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA)

Algert Global LLC lifted its position in shares of Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA - Free Report) by 20.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 103,380 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 17,517 shares during the quarter. Algert Global LLC owned approximately 0.16% of Central Garden & Pet worth $3,417,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 668.6% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 930 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 809 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Central Garden & Pet during the fourth quarter worth $102,000. KBC Group NV raised its position in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 50.1% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 3,606 shares of the company's stock worth $119,000 after acquiring an additional 1,204 shares in the last quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 6.3% in the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 5,458 shares of the company's stock valued at $180,000 after buying an additional 325 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 12.6% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 6,538 shares of the company's stock worth $216,000 after acquiring an additional 734 shares in the last quarter. 50.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Central Garden & Pet from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday. Truist Financial reaffirmed a "hold" rating and set a $35.00 target price (down from $40.00) on shares of Central Garden & Pet in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Central Garden & Pet from $34.00 to $31.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $33.00.

Central Garden & Pet Price Performance

NASDAQ CENTA traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $30.72. The stock had a trading volume of 351,866 shares, compared to its average volume of 316,984. Central Garden & Pet has a 52-week low of $27.70 and a 52-week high of $41.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.97, a current ratio of 3.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $31.36 and a 200 day simple moving average of $31.92. The company has a market cap of $2.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.88 and a beta of 0.68.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.10. Central Garden & Pet had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 10.08%. The firm had revenue of $833.54 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $876.36 million. Equities analysts forecast that Central Garden & Pet will post 2.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider John D. Walker III sold 10,000 shares of Central Garden & Pet stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.86, for a total transaction of $328,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 67,111 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,205,267.46. This trade represents a 12.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 20.28% of the company's stock.

Central Garden & Pet Profile

Central Garden & Pet Co engages in the production and distribution of branded and private label products for the lawn, garden, and pet supplies markets. It operates through the Pet and Garden segments. The Pet segment focuses on dog and cat supplies such as dog treats and chews, toys, pet beds and containment, grooming products, waste management and training pads, supplies for aquatics, small animals, reptiles and pet birds including toys, cages and habitats, bedding, food and supplements, products for equine and livestock, animal and household health and insect control products, live fish, and small animals, as well as outdoor cushions.